US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued an ultimatum to Panama, demanding that the country take immediate action to address concerns over the Panama Canal's operations and security. Rubio's statement comes amid growing tensions between the US and Panama over the canal's management and the potential for Chinese involvement. The US has long been a major player in the canal's operations and has a significant stake in its continued stability and security. Rubio's ultimatum is seen as a warning to Panama that the US will not tolerate any moves that could compromise the canal's security or undermine its interests.

Buenos Aires Times (nprofile…a3q7)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes good on Donald Trump's threats and warns President José Raúl Mulino that he must take immediate action to reduce Chinese influence on the Panama Canal. Rubio, known for his hawkish views on China, has long been critical of the canal's increasing reliance on Chinese financing and investment. In a stern letter to Mulino, Rubio writes that the US will not stand idly by while China gains a foothold in the strategic waterway. He demands that Mulino take concrete steps to reduce Chinese influence, including limiting the number of Chinese companies involved in canal operations and increasing transparency around Chinese investment in the canal's infrastructure. Rubio's warning comes as tensions between the US and China continue to escalate over a range of issues, including trade, security, and human rights. The US has long seen the Panama Canal as a vital strategic asset, and any perceived threat to its security or control could spark a major crisis in the region.
https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/latin-america/us-secretary-of-state-rubio-lays-down-ultimatum-to-panama-over-canal.phtml